Man dies after driving into pharmacy in Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA A 77-year-old driver died Thursday after crashing into a pharmacy, the result of what authorities suspect to be a medical condition.

The man was driving a Toyota Avalon away from a drive-through window of a CVS in the 2700 block of Harbor Boulevard shortly after 3 p.m. when he appeared to circle around before suddenly accelerating into the west side of the building, according to a Costa Mesa police statement.

The driver, who was in cardiac arrest, was taken to Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later, police said.

The man's wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, police said. She is expected to survive her injuries.

According to police, the crash was “apparently related to a pre-existing medical condition.”

Authorities are not releasing the man's name until his family is notified of the death.

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